Individuals with an interest in the early childhood profession can earn an entry-level certificate online through a variety of programs. This type of basic course of study typically includes classes in areas such as child development, family studies, lesson planning and health/safety. Students can take courses at their own pace within a given time frame or semester. Students may choose to complete online assignments and exams during day or nighttime hours, based on convenience. A basic online early childhood certificate qualifies the recipient to work in an entry-level position as an assistant, or sometimes lead, teacher in preschools, child care or day care centers.
Individuals with prior early childhood education experience or those who would like to start their career at a higher position may want to explore college or university online programs. Although online bachelor's degrees may be slightly more prevalent than certificate programs at universities and colleges, many institutions do offer a certificate as a component of a greater degree (i.e., undergraduate degree). For example, Washington State University offers an Early Childhood Development and Care Certificate and Missouri's Park University offers an online program in education studies with a specialized concentration in early childhood education. This online course of study provides students with a greater depth of information and knowledge on the profession itself as well as child development/education. Similar programs can be found around the country at many major colleges.
Although many online programs offer students the opportunity to earn a certificate in early childhood education, this differs from a certification in the field. Some states or districts that run preschool programs require early childhood educators to be certified or licensed. An early childhood certificate demonstrates that the teacher has taken and passed courses related to the profession, but is not equivalent to a certification. Only students in college-level teacher preparatory programs who participate in student teaching experiences or internship practica can become certified. Additionally, most states require certified teachers to take and pass a specialized early childhood licensing exam.
If something seems to good to be true, it just might be. Students should be wary of online early childhood education programs that promise certification to individuals with no prior training or educational license. Additionally, any program that does not offer a variety of child development courses or can be completed in a few weeks or months may not provide an adequate knowledge base for entering the profession. Interested students should look for an online program that has a well-rounded curriculum, adheres to NAEYC teacher preparation standards and comes from an accredited and established school.
Online certificate programs in early childhood education are less prevalent than associate, bachelor's or master's degrees at accredited learning institutions. Many online schools, such as the University of Phoenix and Ashford University, offer online early childhood degrees at the associate or college (i.e., bachelor's or master's) levels. Certificates from accredited or approved schools more frequently come in the form of major concentrations within an online bachelor's program, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education or Certificate in Child Development. Although students will earn a bachelor's degree from the online school, these programs also grant the student a specifically-focused certificate in the field.